A FAMILY’S fight to make their home brighter for their disabled daughter has been given the backing of local councillors.

The Tranent family had appealed to East Lothian Council’s Local Review Body to overturn a planning decision to refuse them permission to put a roof window in their home.

They told the review body their plans for the C-listed cottage in the town would provide light for their daughter, whose disabilities meant she was unable to go outside during winter months.

Proposals to install a large triple-glazed roof light at the back of the property, on Church Street, were put forward by the family to allow their daughter access to natural light.

However, planning officials twice turned down the plans as unacceptable, despite no objections from neighbours.

In a statement to the review body, the family said: “Our daughter is severely disabled with a low immunity threshold and severe respiratory issues, which are more prevalent in the winter months.

“Naturally her time outdoors in the winter is fairly limited so the lighter and brighter the house can be. . . the better.”

At a meeting of the Local Review Body in Haddington, all three sitting members voted to support the family’s appeal.

Councillor Willie Innes, council leader, said: “I recognise there are reasons why the owners want to do it and I sympathise with those reasons.”

They were told the family would now need to seek approval for listed building consent, which has to be agreed with Historic Environment Scotland.